Jean Constantin

Jean Constantin — Biography

Jean Constantin was born in Paris on 9 February 1923 and became one of postwar France's most prolific lyricists, composers and jazz pianists; he died on 30 January 1997. Though he also recorded and performed his own material, his lasting reputation rests on the songs he wrote for other singers.

Written with Norbert Glanzberg, “Mon manège à moi” (1952), recorded by Édith Piaf, is among his best-known pieces. He supplied Annie Cordy with “Jolie fleur de papillon” (1955), gave Zizi Jeanmaire her signature hit “Mon truc en plumes” (1956, lyrics by Bernard Dimey), and wrote “Ma gigolette” and “Pianola” for Yves Montand; another of his songs, “Ne joue pas avec mon cœur,” debuted in a Colette Deréal recording before Lucienne Delyle and Dalida each released their own versions. He also scored films, most notably François Truffaut's New Wave landmark The 400 Blows (1959), whose main theme, sung by Juliette Gréco as “Comment voulez-vous?,” carried his own lyrics. He occasionally took small acting parts as well, appearing in Le Baron de l'écluse (1960) and The Boss of Champignol (1966).

Constantin died at 73 in the Paris region.